Bob Lobel: Will the Pats Season End in Denver?

There is some unfinished business from last week, a failure to come out and just choose the best Boston sports holiday present ever. Of course it’s subjective, but I think I can justify my pick.

When you think of the embarrassment of riches both in moments shared and performers appreciated, it comes down to this: I simply will say that in my opinion the best holiday gift ever given to Boston sport fans was Bruins goalie Tim Thomas in the post-season of 2011. Obviously, it was the most recent so that already gives it top billing, but when you think of the three seven game series and the comebacks and the clutch saves and inspirational goaltending, it stands alone in my head.

He was simply the best and he just willed the Bruins to a Stanley cup we were never expecting. Enough said. The element of surprise, the quality of play, the journey he took to get there, not to mention his snub of the White House and Facebook pronouncements and his subsequent disappearance, all make this as fascinating a story as there ever was for the most passionate fans around here. (By the way, sources tell me he is in Colorado, somewhere.)

Having finished that old business, we can now move on. Am I the only one that doesn’t think the Patriots will get by the Broncos in Denver, this month? How did it get to this? The new year is like so many past years: Denver is the problem and will continue to be. Peyton Manning is the problem and will continue to be. Happy for him, not for us.

The question was asked of me last night, “If the Patriots win the Superbowl will Brady and/or Belichick retire?” I don’t think so, not as long as they can play and can compete.

We lose sight of how important the competing part of this is. The time will be here soon enough when either or both will be burned out. Soon enough. So who replaces Belichick since nobody can replace Brady? Bill Cowher? One of the Harbaughs? Dick LeBeau? Jonathan Kraft? That’s a tough one. Rex Ryan? Isn’t that where we get all of our head coaches?

Furthermore, as we look into the magic ball, there seem to be no championships on the horizon. None, nada. My suggestion for the National Hockey Disgrace is to play 20 preseason games, everyone makes the playoffs. A first round of best of five series then best of seven. That way we don’t have to fake the excitement of a regular season with those Godawful shootouts and can move right to the most exciting part of the sport, the reason we all love it so much and watch: The Playoffs.

There’s nothing better in sports, and there’s nothing worse than an NBA or NHL regular season. This lockout may prove beneficial yet. Happy New Year. (Tim, come home. A lonely region turns their eyes to you.)

Final exam question of 2012: Are the patriots so predictable, so good, that they have actually become boring? I say yes, maybe that’s what I’m feeling.